PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.

Bannon Strikes Back (Dan)

Ousted Trump advisor Steve Bannon is rallying a bunch of primary challengers – to unseat Republicans. Bannon feels that GOP officeholders unwilling to work towards Trump’s agenda should be out. To quote a former President, “If you’re not with us, you’re against us.”

Trump’s ‘Punk Rock’ Politics (Reader Steve)

How does the Trump machine function so well? By cultivating outrage amongst the crowd. This, the author writes, is “21st-century demagoguery.”

How Protests Became Violent (Dan)

Ever notice how protests have recently turned, well, violent? A lot of blame can be assigned to worsening divisions in the country. Yet here is another previously unreported: exploited gun loopholes.

America’s Bus System is Broken (Jimmy)

Listen to this seven-minute opinion on why public bus transportation in the US is failing, hurting the poor and minorities hardest.